Low Profile Tactical Inflatable Flotation Device

ABSTRACT

An inflatable life preserver uses a novel packing method with a lightweight inflatable film that allows it to integrate with equipment so that it is not noticeable to the user in the uninflated condition and does not impede the user&#39;s operations. In the uninflated state, the bladder is folded and rolled in a way that minimizes the device footprint. The device can be attached to a MOLLE vest or other garment. In the inflated condition, the inflatable bladder material is unsupported and is constrained to provide buoyancy distribution to turn a user face-up at the water line.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

One known type of personal flotation device is sometimes called a lifejacket or life vest. This type of device often has a U-shaped orhorseshoe-shaped configuration that wraps around the back of the user'sneck and has two lobes extending down the front of the user's torso. Insome of these devices, an inflatable bladder is contained within acover. The bladder has two lobes, contained within the cover lobes, thatare the same length as the cover lobes. When the bladder is inflated byactuation of an inflator, the bladder inflates out of the cover. Priorto inflation, the cover (and bladder) lobes extend down the user's torsoto the waist area, where they are held together laterally by a waiststrap. This setup takes a great deal of space on the user's torso andwaist and can be awkward and uncomfortable.

Some devices provide self-righting flotation for tactical/specialoperations forces carrying loads, but these products are typicallyheavy, cumbersome, and restrictive. The problem to overcome in theseproducts is to provide a design that integrates with equipment in a waythat does not hinder or impede normal operations.

Conversely, certain other products integrate with equipment in a waythat does not hinder or impede operation, but these products do notprovide self-righting flotation. The problem to overcome in theseproducts is to provide reliable self-righting flotation.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an inflatable life preserver that usesa novel packing method with a lightweight inflatable film that allows itto integrate with equipment so that it is not noticeable to the user inthe uninflated condition and does not impede the user's operations. Inthe uninflated state, the bladder is folded and rolled in a novel wayinto a small configuration that minimizes the device footprint. Thedevice can be attached to a MOLLE vest or other garment as shown, or toa separate harness, or other appropriate gear. In the inflatedcondition, the inflatable bladder material is unsupported and isconstrained to provide sufficient buoyancy distribution to turn a userface-up at the water line.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing and other features of the present invention will becomeapparent to one skilled in the art to which the present inventionrelates upon consideration of the following description of the inventionwith reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a front pictorial illustration of a personal flotation devicethat is a first embodiment of the invention, shown being worn by a userover a MOLLE vest;

FIG. 2 is a side pictorial illustration of the device and user and vestof FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a rear pictorial illustration of the device and user and vestof FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a front elevational view of the device of FIG. 1, shown in anuninflated and unfolded condition;

FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 4, showing a first step in the processof folding the device;

FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 5, showing a further step in theprocess of folding the device;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged view of a portion of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a view similar to FIG. 5, showing a further step in theprocess of folding the device;

FIG. 9 is a view similar to FIG. 5, showing a further step in theprocess of folding the device;

FIG. 10 is a view similar to FIG. 5, showing a further step in theprocess of folding the device and closing the cover on the bladder;

FIG. 11 is an enlarged view of a portion of the device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 12 is an enlarged view of a collar portion of the device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 13 is a front elevational view of the device of FIG. 1, shown in aninflated condition;

FIG. 14 is a rear elevational view of the device of FIG. 1, shown in theinflated condition; and

FIG. 15 is a side elevational view of the device of FIG. 1, shown in theinflated condition.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The invention relates to a personal flotation device that includes aninflatable bladder. The invention is applicable to personal flotationdevices of varying and different configurations. As representative ofthe invention, FIG. 1 illustrates a personal flotation device 10 that isa first embodiment of the invention. The device 10 is shown as beingattachable to a MOLLE vest or armor carrier 12 worn by a user; a deviceof the present invention could be configured and/or supporteddifferently. The attachment of the device 10 to the vest 12 is describedbelow in detail.

The device 10 has a device collar section 14, a left lobe 16, and aright lobe 16 a. The device 10 includes as its major components a cover20; a bladder 40; and an inflator 60 for inflating the bladder.Additional components include two back straps 80, two chest straps 90,and a sternum strap 100. When the bladder 40 is uninflated, the bladderis stored in the cover 20. The inflator 60 is actuatable as describedbelow to inflate the bladder 40 to an inflated condition in which itextends out of the cover to support the user in water with the userface-up.

The cover 20 (FIGS. 1-4) is a flexible fabric element that is made froma material to enclose and protect the bladder 40 when the bladder isuninflated. Typical materials that are suitable are well known in theart of the personal flotation device. The cover 20 may have a color orcamouflage printing on its outer surface. The cover 20 has a centralportion 22, or collar section, that is located at and behind the user'sneck when the device 10 is being worn. The cover 20 has two lobes 24 and24 a that extend generally perpendicularly from opposite ends of thecollar section 22, to provide an overall U-shaped or horseshoe shapedconfiguration for the cover 20. Each cover lobe 24, 24 a has arespective terminal end portion 26, 26 a that is farthest from thecollar section of the cover 20. For purposes of this invention, the twocover lobes 24 and 24 a are basically mirror images of each other, andso only one cover lobe (the left lobe 24) is described in detail.

It should be understood that FIGS. 4 through 13 are front views of thepersonal flotation device 10—that is, the major side (outside) that ispresented outward when the device is worn, is seen in these views. Inall these views, of course, the bladder 40 is transparent. Therefore,many elements that appear to be in front of the bladder 40 (toward theviewer) are, in fact, behind the bladder, only appearing to be in frontof it because of the transparent nature of the bladder. Thus, forexample, in FIG. 4, the fabric elements 72 and 72 a, and the cover 20,are in fact behind the transparent bladder 40.

Each cover lobe 24, 24 a has a respective zipper 30, 30 a extendingalong its length and up into the collar section of the cover 20. Theupper end of the zippers 30 and 30 a are located under a tab 31 on thecover 20. The zipper 30 can be closed to form the cover lobe 24 into atubular configuration in which the bladder lobe 44 is packed when in theuninflated condition. The zipper 30 is a breakaway zipper; when thebladder 40 is inflated as described below, the bladder lobe 44 expandsoutward, pushing open the zipper 30 first at its upper end then downalong the length of the lobe, and inflates out of the cover lobe 24.When the cover lobe 24 is unzipped, the cover lobe can be laid flat toenable the bladder lobe 44 to be packed inside the cover lobe. Thisposition is shown in FIG. 4, for example.

The length of the cover lobes 24 and 24 a is selected so that theirterminal end portions 26 and 26 a are up high on the user's chest whenthe device 10 is worn. This can be seen in FIG. 2, for example. Thisconfiguration provides a much more compact and less obtrusive device, incomparison to typical life preservers having cover lobes that extenddown the torso to the user's waist or abdomen.

A zippered pouch 32 (FIG. 3) is located inside the zippered centralportion 22 of the cover 20, for holding items that are associated withthe cover. Also, each zipper 30 may have a removable and reusable zipperpull that can be stored in the pouch 32.

The bladder 40 is an element that can be inflated from a packed orfolded, stored condition to an unfolded and opened condition, enclosingair or another inflation fluid, to support the user in the water. Thebladder 40 can be made in any one of a variety of different manners. Inthe illustrated embodiment, which is not limiting, the bladder 40 ismade from two pieces of a very light weight film material that are fixedtogether around their perimeter edges 41 by, for example, RF welding,although that could be another method such as thermal, or adhesive.

One preferred material (not limiting) for the bladder 40 is Hoyu brandpolyurethane 015395-E87M-Clear, which has a thickness of 6 mils, anultimate tensile strength of 11,700 psi, an ultimate elongation of 583%,and a weight of 165 g/m². Another suitable material is Hoyu brandpolyurethane 015590-E85M-Clear, which has a thickness of 6 mils, anultimate tensile strength of 7,895 psi, an ultimate elongation of 715%,and a weight of 165 g/m². Each one of these materials is an uncoated,unwoven urethane film that can be adhered or bonded to other elements,for example by RF welding, ultrasonic welding, adhesive, etc. Theparticular method of attachment is not critical.

The bladder material is strong enough to hold the pressure needed tosupport a user in the water lying on the back with the head above water.In one embodiment, the amount of buoyancy that is provided is at leastabout thirty (30) pounds and preferably about forty (40) pounds. Theamount of buoyancy that is provided is fit and temperature dependent.The desired material is much lighter in weight than a typical lifepreserver bladder material; as a result, the bladder 40 itself weighsonly a few ounces. The combination of the material's thinness, lightweight, high tensile strength, and high elongation are helpful in makingthe device performance (and low volume when packed) achievable. Othermaterials with similar characteristics are suitable.

When the two pieces of the bladder 40 are welded together, the resultingelement can be laid flat as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. The bladder 40 mayhave a cross-sectional size that varies along its extent. The bladder 40as thus formed has a generally U-shaped configuration, orhorseshoe-shaped configuration, similar to that of the cover, includinga central portion or collar section 42, and two lobes 44 and 44 a. Thelobes 44 and 44 a of the bladder 40, when inflated, are much longer thanthe lobes 24 and 24 a of the cover 20. This difference can be seen inFIGS. 4 and 5, for example, which shows one stage in the process ofassembling and packing the device 10. This difference can also be seenin FIG. 13, which shows the device 10 when the bladder 40 is in aninflated condition. As the two bladder lobes 44 and 44 a aresubstantially similar to each other, only the left bladder lobe 44 isdescribed in detail.

The bladder lobe 44 has an intermediate section or upper lobe section 48that extends from the collar section 42 and that is about the samelength as the cover lobe 24. An end section or lower section 50 of thebladder lobe 44 extends from the upper lobe section 48 and terminates ina terminal end portion 51 of the bladder lobe. A fold line indicatedschematically at 52 can be said to form the boundary between the upperlobe section 48 and the lower lobe section 50. In practice, when thebladder 40 is to be stored in the cover 20, as described below, thebladder lobe 44 is folded (up) at the fold line 52, in a manner asdescribed below, so that the lower lobe section 50 overlies the upperlobe section, thus decreasing the overall length of the folded bladderlobe to about the same length as that of the cover lobe 24.

The device 10 includes an inflator or cylinder assembly 60 (FIG. 12) forinflating the bladder 40. The particular construction and configurationof the inflator or cylinder assembly 60 is not critical for thisinvention. The inflator 60 may be of the type that can be actuatedmanually by pulling on a cord. Alternatively or additionally, theinflator 60 might be actuated automatically, for example by sensing ofwater depth, or by sensing the presence of water. Finally, in a knownmanner, the inflator 60 can be bypassed and the bladder 40 inflateddirectly by the user via an oral inflation tube 62 (FIG. 4). Theinflator 60 has an output 64 (FIG. 12) that can be connected with aninflator ring 66 on the collar section 42 of the bladder 40 to place theinflator output in fluid communication with the bladder. Placing theinflator 60 in the collar section of the bladder 40 is one factor thatenables the lobes 16 and 16 a of the device 10 to be as small as theyare.

As noted above, the personal flotation device 10 includes structure forholding the device on the user. The particular device that isillustrated is designed to be worn over and attached to an armor carrieror a vest or jacket 12 (FIGS. 1-3) having MOLLE fastening openings. Assuch, the device includes two back straps 80 that are operable to securethe collar section of the device to the back of the user's underlyingvest 12 or jacket. The back straps 80 are fixed, for example by sewing,to the collar section 22 of the cover 20. Thus, the collar section 22 ofthe cover 20 can be placed in a force-transmitting relationship with theMOLLE vest 12, to secure the collar section 14 of the device 10 on theuser's upper torso. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 2, the male end 82 ofthe back strap 80 is extended down, threaded through an opening 84 inthe vest 12, looped back up, and then connected with the female buckle86. The two back strap connections secure the collar section 22 of thecover 20, and thus the device collar section 14, to the vest 12.

The device also includes two chest straps 90 that are operable to securethe two lobes 16 of the device 10 to the upper front (chest) area of theuser's underlying vest 12 or jacket. The chest straps 90 are sewn to theterminal end portions 26 and 26 a of the cover lobe 24. Thus, each cheststrap 90 can be placed in a force-transmitting relationship with itsassociated cover lobe 24, and is able to limit vertical movement of thecover lobe 24 and the associated bladder lobe. Specifically, the maleend 92 of the chest strap 90 is extended down, threaded through anopening 94 in the vest 12, looped back up, and then connected with thefemale buckle portion 96 of the chest strap. This controls the verticalpositioning of the device 10, holding the device in position on theuser.

Finally, the device includes a two-part sternum strap 100 thatreleasably extends across the user's sternum area, interconnecting thetwo device lobes 16 and 16 a at a buckle assembly in a positionoverlying the user's chest. A male portion (tongue) 102 extending fromone device lobe 16 interconnects with a female portion (buckle) 104extending from the other lobe 16 a. The sternum strap 100 does notdirectly interconnect with the vest 12. The sternum strap 100 is furtherdescribed below.

The device includes a number of connector elements or connectors thatare used to help interconnect the bladder 40, the cover 20, and thestraps 80, 90, and 100. The connector elements are described herein asfabric elements; they can be made from any one of a variety of sheetmaterials. One preferred material is coated nylon. Thus, the term“fabric” is not intended to be limiting. In the illustrated embodiment,the connectors are located on the back or inner side of the bladder 40,which lies against the user when inflated, and not on the outer exposedside of the bladder.

One connector, a collar connector 70 (FIG. 12), is located at the top ofthe device 10 and is a ring-shaped member about four inches wideencircling the central portion 42 of the bladder 40. The collarconnector 70 is secured to the bladder 40, for example by bonding or RFwelding, but only at the location of the inflator ring 66. Otherwise thecollar connector 70 is not fixed to the bladder 40. The collar connector70 encircles the top (collar section 42) of the bladder 40 and at thatlocation protects the film material of the bladder 40. At that locationalso, the collar connector 70 is secured to the collar section 22 of thecover 20. This collar connector 70 thereby secures the collar section 42of the bladder 40 in place in relation to the cover 20.

A second connector, the left connector 72, is secured on the lower lobesection 50 of the left bladder lobe 44, as best seen in FIG. 4. The leftconnector 72 has a generally T-shaped configuration when laid flat,including a crossbar portion 74 and a leg portion 76. The leg portion 76is widened at its bottom end 77 and is there secured to the terminal endportion 51 of the bladder lobe 44. The crossbar portion 74 extendslaterally from the top of the leg portion 76, between the two seam edgesof the bladder lobe 44, on one side only of the bladder 40, thus“encircling” the bladder for only 180 degrees. The ends of the crossbarportion 74 are secured to the two edge seams of the bladder lobe 44. Theterminal end portion 26 of the cover lobe 24 is fixed to the lateralcenter of the crossbar portion 74 of the left connector 72. Thus, atthis location, the left connector 72 is secured to the cover lobe 24,and the crossbar portion 74 of the left connector secures the terminalend portion 26 of the cover lobe to the bladder 40.

The right bladder lobe 44 a, which is a mirror image of the left bladderlobe 44, has secured to it a third connector 72 a, not discussed indetail as it is basically a mirror image of the second connector.

The three connectors 70, 72, and 72 a thus (a) connect the bladder 40 tothe cover 20 and to the inflator 60; (b) provide support for the sternumstrap 100 to keep the bladder lobes 44 and 44 a in position close to theuser's chest, to improve self-righting and flotation performance; and(c) in the case of the collar connector 70, provide protection to thebladder when the user opens the access pouch 32.

The sternum strap 100 extends outward from the bladder 44. Specifically,one side 103 of the sternum strap 100, which carries the male part 102of the sternum strap buckle assembly, is secured to the left connector72 and to the bladder lobe 44, and thus to the left cover lobe 24. Theother side 105 of the sternum strap 100, which carries the female part104 of the sternum strap buckle assembly, is secured to the rightconnector 72 a and to the bladder lobe 44 a, and thus to the right coverlobe 24 a. These connections are formed at (and thus the sternum strap100 is at the height of) the terminal end portions 26, 26 a of the coverlobes 24, 24 a. The length of the two sternum strap parts 103 and 105 isfixed and is selected to enable the sternum strap 100, when buckled, toconstrain the bladder lobes 44 and 44 a. As a result, the sternum strap100 is in a force-transmitting relationship between the two cover lobes24, and thereby also the two bladder lobes 44, and is able to limitlateral and outward movement of the bladder lobes 44 and 44 a wheninflated as described below.

Because the bladder 40 is made from a more elastic material that normalfor this type of device, and because its mounting location is higher onthe torso than normal, the connectors 70, 72, and 72 a help to constrainthe bladder; for example, each connector 72 and 72 a is tied into itsassociated bladder lobe 44 or 44 a at the two diametrically oppositesides and at the bottom of the bladder lobe, and thus wraps partiallyaround the bladder lobe circumference (on the back or inner side), thuskeeping the material of the bladder in the desired configuration. Inthis regard, it is significant that the sternum strap 100 holds the twobladder lobes 44 and 44 a in place; if they were free to float away fromthe user's chest, the self-righting performance would be compromised.

The left connector 72 serves to form an attachment point on the devicelobe 16. Multiple elements are attached to the left connector 72. First,the left connector 72 is fixed to the terminal end 26 of the cover lobe20. Also, the bladder lobe 44 is fixed to the left connector 72 at thelobe edges. As a result, the left bladder lobe 44 is secured to theterminal end portion 26 of the cover 20. The buckle portion of the cheststrap 90 is connected via a backing plate to the to the terminal endportion of the cover lobe 24 and the connector 72. These elements arethus all connected together.

As noted above, each bladder lobe 44, 44 a is significantly andsubstantially longer than its associated cover lobe 24, 24 a. Therefore,during assembly of the device, the bladder lobes are folded and/orrolled to fit into the cover lobes as described below.

Specifically, the bladder lobe 44 when uninflated is both substantiallywider than and substantially longer than the cover lobe 24. Therefore,to commence the preferred folding process, a side portion 110 of thelower lobe section 50 of the bladder lobe 44 is folded laterally asshown by the arrow 112 in FIG. 5, so as to overlie the remainder of thelower lobe section of the bladder lobe. This lateral fold is made atabout the region 113 of the zippered inner edge of the cover lobe 24. Atthis point, the sternum strap portion 103 extends or projects laterallyoutward from the bladder 40.

Next, as indicated by the arrow 114 in FIG. 6, the projecting sternumstrap portion 103 is folded laterally inward to overlie the partiallyfolded bladder 40. The inward folded sternum strap portion 103 overliesthe upper lobe section 48 of the bladder lobe 44.

In the next folding step (FIG. 8), the lower lobe section 50 of thebladder lobe 44 is folded up, at the fold line 52, as indicated by thearrow 116, so that the lower lobe section overlies the upper lobesection 48 of the bladder lobe 44. The lower lobe section 50 alsooverlies the sternum strap portion 103. In the illustrated embodiment,the lower lobe section 50 and the upper lobe section 48 are close tobeing the same length, and so the lower lobe section of the bladder lobe44 when thus folded extends upward in the cover lobe 24 almost to thepoint where the cover lobe merges with the cover central portion 22.Because the fold line 52 is at the attachment point, and the attachmentpoint is at the terminal end portion 26 of the cover lobe 24, the entirebladder lobe 44 thus can fit vertically within the vertical extent ofthe cover lobe 24, above the terminal end portion of the cover lobe.

As thus folded, the bladder lobe 44 is still wider than the cover lobe24. To address this width difference, the folded bladder lobe 44 (lowerlobe section 50 and upper lobe section 48) is folded (or preferablyrolled) sideways, as indicated by the arrows 118 in FIGS. 9 and 119 inFIG. 10, to make a package that will fit laterally within the relativelysmall confines of the zipped-up cover lobe 24. Once this isaccomplished, the cover lobe 24 can thereafter be zipped closed.

During this folding and rolling process, the sternum strap 100 iscarefully threaded laterally out of a notch 120 (FIG. 7) in the terminalend portion 26 of the cover lobe 24. The two edges of the cover lobe 24,when zipped closed, surround or encircle the projecting sternum strap100, effectively turning the notch into an opening instead. Because thesternum strap 100 is between the folded upper and lower lobe sections 48and 50, the sternum strap does not interfere with or stop the lower endsection of the bladder lobe 44 from unfolding (flipping down) when thebladder 40 inflates.

When the inflator 60 is actuated, the bladder 40 expands with enoughforce to rupture the breakaway zippers 30. As the bladder 40 inflates,the inflation fluid in the bladder lobe 44 causes the bladder lobe 44 tounroll and unfold to a fully inflated condition as shown in FIG. 13-15.Inflation of the device 10 is described with reference to only onebladder lobe 44; the other bladder lobe 44 a inflates substantiallysimilarly.

As noted above, FIG. 13 is a front view of the personal flotation device10—that is, the major side (outside) that is presented outward when thedevice is worn, is seen in these views. In this view, the bladder 40 istransparent. Therefore, many elements in FIG. 13 that appear to be infront of the bladder 40 (toward the viewer) are, in fact, behind thebladder, only appearing to be in front of it because of the transparentnature of the bladder. Thus, for example, in FIG. 13 the fabric elements70, 72, and 72 a, and the cover 20, are in fact behind the transparentbladder 40.

This unrolling and unfolding process that occurs when the bladder 40inflates includes, among other things, the bladder lower lobe section 50flipping out (away from the user) and down, at the fold line 52, thusmoving away from the bladder lobe intermediate section 48. In thiscondition, the lower lobe section 50 of the bladder lobe 44 extends downbelow and past the terminal end portion of the opened cover lobe 24.

The inflated bladder 40 is large enough to support the user and theuser's carried gear, in the water, in a face-up position; this, despitethe bladder when uninflated extending down only over a portion of theuser's chest. When the bladder 40 is inflated, the connectors 72 and 72a provide structural support that keeps the bladder lobes 44 and 44 acloser to the user's chest, to improve self-righting and flotationperformance. The connectors 72 and 72 a constrain the more elasticmaterial of the bladder 40; they wrap partially around the circumferenceof the bladder lobe 44, being secured at the bladder edge seams, thuskeeping the bladder lobe in the desired configuration when inflated. Thesternum strap 100 holds the two bladder lobes in place; if they werefree to float away from the user's chest, the self-righting performancewould be compromised.

When thus inflated, the device 10 provides self-righting flotation for auser carrying a heavy load, to help prevent drowning. Self-rightingflotation is achieved by providing appropriate buoyancy, anddistributing the buoyancy on the body appropriately. In the case of thedevice 10, from about thirty to about fifty pounds of buoyancy, andpreferably from about thirty five to about forty five pounds, is deemedthe appropriate requirement for a tactical user (the in-water weight ofa human carrying some equipment is lower than on-land weight). Thebuoyancy is provided on the chest (which brings the user's chest up) andbehind the head (to keep the head out of the water).

As is apparent from the foregoing description, the inflatable lifepreserver of the present invention uses a novel packing method with alightweight inflatable film bladder that allows it to integrate withequipment so that it is not noticeable to the user in the uninflatedcondition and does not impede the user's operations. When worn in theuninflated condition, the device takes up only a small amount of space,and only on the user's chest, not extending down to the waist orabdominal area. When inflated, the device floats the user (carryingstandard tactical equipment) and will turn the user face up if the useris unconscious. This feature is provided by, among other things, theanchoring design that holds the bladder against the torso with surfacemounted buckles and a sternum strap. In the uninflated state, thebladder is folded and rolled in a novel way that minimizes the devicefootprint. The device can be attached to a MOLLE vest or armor carrieras shown, or for a separate harness, or other appropriate gear. In theinflated condition, the inflatable bladder material is unsupported andis constrained to provide buoyancy distribution to turn a user face-upwith the needed amount of buoyancy at the water line.

From the above description of the invention, those skilled in the artwill perceive improvements, changes and modifications in the invention.For example, the bladder folding procedure could be different; forexample, a different number of folds could be provided, or rolls, or adifferent bladder material could be used. Such improvements, changes andmodifications within the skill of the art are intended to be covered bythe appended claims.

1. A personal flotation, device configured to be worn on a user's torso,the torso having a front, the personal flotation device comprising: abladder having a uninflated condition, the bladder being inflatable fromthe uninflated condition into an inflated condition; an actuatableinflator for inflating the bladder; and a cover for enclosing andprotecting the bladder when the bladder is in the uninflated condition,the cover having a generally U-shaped configuration including a collarsection extending around a back of a neck of the user and two lobesextending from the collar section down the front of the user's torsowhen the user is wearing the personal flotation device on the user'storso; the bladder having a generally U-shaped configuration including acollar section extending around the back of the users neck and two lobesextending from the collar section down the front of the user's torsowhen the user is wearing the personal flotation device on the user'storso, the bladder lobes when in the uninflated condition being,enclosed in the cover lobes, the bladder lobes inflating out of thecover lobes upon inflation of the bladder; each bladder lobe wheninflated having a length that is substantially greater than the lengthof the cover lobe.
 2. A personal flotation device as set forth in claim1 wherein each bladder lobe unfolds and inflates past the cover lobeterminal end portion when the bladder is inflated.
 3. A personalflotation device as set forth in claim 2 wherein each bladder lobeincludes an intermediate section extending from the bladder collarsection and an end section extending from the intermediate section, thecover lobe having a terminal end portion, the end section of the bladderlobe being folded along a main fold line to overlie the intermediatesection when the bladder is in the uninflated condition and stored inthe cover, the bladder lobe unfolding and the end section inflating awayfrom the intermediate section and the collar section of the bladder andpast the terminal end portion of the cover lobe when the bladder isinflated.
 4. A personal flotation device as set forth in claim 3 whereinthe bladder lobe extends along a lobe axis from the bladder collarsection through the intermediate section and the end section to aterminal end section of the bladder lobe, the bladder lobe unfoldingalong the main fold line which extends transverse to the bladder lobeaxis when the bladder is inflated.
 5. A personal flotation device as setforth in claim 4 wherein the bladder lobe is folded in a sequence ofsteps including folding the bladder end section first laterally along afold line extending in a direction generally parallel to the axis, thenfolding the bladder lobe along the main fold line so that, the bladderend section overlies the intermediate section, then folding or rollingthe bladder lobe laterally to a finished size in which it will fitwithin the cover lobe when the cover lobe is zipped closed.
 6. Apersonal flotation device as set forth in claim 1, further including asternum strap connecting the first and second cover lobes and the firstand second bladder lobes adjacent to the terminal end portions of thecover lobes, and wherein the sternum strap has a releasable connection,located between the two cover lobes, to enable doffing and donning ofthe personal flotation device.
 7. A personal flotation device as setforth in claim 6 wherein during use of the personal flotation device inthe water to support a user in the water, the bladder inflates toprovide sufficient force to support the user's head out of the water ina face up orientation.
 8. A personal flotation device as set forth inclaim 1 wherein the bladder is made from polyurethane that has athickness of about 6 mils, an ultimate tensile strength of at leastabout 11,700 psi, an ultimate elongation of at least about 583%, and aweight of about 165 g/m².
 9. A personal flotation device as set forth inclaim 1 including a plurality of fabric connector elements that connectthe bladder with the cover at spaced locations including a firstconnector element at the collar section and a second connector elementat the terminal end portion of the cover lobe.
 10. A personal flotationdevice that is configured to be worn on a user's torso, the torso,having a front, the personal flotation device comprising: a bladderhaving an uninflated condition, the bladder being inflatable from theuninflated condition into an inflated condition; an actuatable inflatorfor inflating the bladder; and a cover enclosing the bladder when thebladder is in the uninflated condition the cover having a generallyU-shaped configuration including a collar section extending around aback of a neck of the user and two cover lobes extending from the collarsection down the front of the user's torso when the personal flotationdevice is on the user's torso, the cover lobes having terminal endportions; the bladder having two inflatable lobes that when in theuninflated condition are enclosed in the cover lobes, the bladder lobeshaving portions that inflate out past the terminal end portions of thecollar lobes when the bladder is inflated; the bladder being made from apolyurethane material having a weight in the range of about 150 g/m² toabout 200 g/m²; and the personal flotation device also comprising atleast three fabric connectors secured to the bladder and interconnectingthe bladder and the cover; including a first fabric connector at thecollar portion of the personal flotation device that encircles thecollar section of the bladder and that connects the collar section ofthe bladder to the collar section of the cover; a second fabricconnector at the terminal end portion of the left cover lobe thatconnects the left bladder lobe to the terminal end portion of the leftcover lobe; and a third fabric connector at the terminal end portion ofthe right cover lobe that connects the right bladder lobe to theterminal end portion of the right cover lobe.
 11. A personal flotationdevice as set forth in claim 10 wherein the personal flotation deviceincludes a sternum strap that extends between and interconnects thesecond and third fabric connectors to limit separation of the bladderlobes from each other and from the user's torso when the bladder isinflated.
 12. A personal flotation device as set forth in claim 10further including two chest straps, one each being connected to andextending from the terminal end portion of a respective cover lobe forinterconnection with a garment worn by the user, and also two backstraps that are connected to and extend from the collar section of thecover for interconnection with said garment.
 13. A personal flotationdevice as set forth in claim 10 wherein each bladder lobe includes anintermediate section extending from the bladder collar section and anend section extending from the intermediate section, the end section ofthe bladder lobe being folded to overlie the intermediate section whenthe bladder is in the uninflated condition and stored in the cover, thebladder lobe unfolding and the end section inflating away from theintermediate section and away from the collar section of the bladder andpast the terminal end portion of the cover lobe when the bladder isinflated.